Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-12-16
An INTERESTING LETTER FROM
HON. A. h. DELANEY.
Some Practical Observations on the
Territory of Alaska.

Some Practical Observations on the
Territory of Alaska.
The following letter was recently writ
ten by Arthur X. Delaney, collector of
customs at SitSa, Alaska, to Hon. j.
Montgomery Smith, of this city. Know
ing that the readers of The Democrat
would be interested in information in
regard to the great and wonderful terri
tory purchased from Russia in 1867,
especially when coming from SO reli-
able Il source, we have obtained per
mission to publish the letter, which is
as follows:
DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 18th
ulto., asking concerning the future
prospects of this territory, and the
openings for young men, is received.
have not been about the territory
great deal, and what | have has been
along the famous finland passages.
Indeed about all anybody knows of
southeastern Alaska is confined to
those portions along the navigabe
waters. Very few have been away
from the coast lines or back from the
rivers. | have therefore but little data
from which to form convictions, but
the few opinions | have formed are
quite positive. The territory beyond
any doubt possesses tremendous min
eral wealth. But little more than a
scratch here and there, has been done
toward developing this wealth; but
some of these ventures are growing
into vast proportions and are reaping
fabulous profits. The gold bearing
belt along the GaStineauX Channel,
where Juneau is located, $50 miles
east and north from here, has developed
into one of the greatest quartz mines
on earth. The original plant is owned
and operated by the Paris Mining Com
pany, heretofore running mill of 100
stamps and the company has made
arrangements to double its capacity,
which will run up its product of gold
bullion to Si50,000 per month. Other
plants of huge proportions are going
up on the same ledge. Some little
gulch diggings are being carried on
near there but the great wealth is in
the quartz. OF course vast capital is
required to operate these enterprises,
but they bring more or less of other
business. Juneau of course has the
boom and rival town of no mean
proportions is certain to spring up on
the Douglass Island across the channel
where the great quartz mills are. There
is nothing however to bottom either
upon except the mines. These mines
are the only ones which have been Suf-
ficiently developed TO make their value
really known. Prospectors however
are constantly poking about the coast
and mining claims are commodity
quite plentiful in every settlement.
Just about here some little is being
done in quartz. Ten miles from here
is ledge which has vast supply, said
to assay way up, but as no practical
milling test has ever been made its
value is speculative. About all there
is to Sitka is the seat of government,
remove that and few INDECENT Rus
SLAMS and vagabond natives would be
its only deniZens from present known
Developments. That more of the
precious metal will be found and taken
out is, to my mind, dead certainty,
but where and when the future must
tell. The entire coast is rugged in the
extreme, and having once gained a
foothold along the shores, it is almost
impossible to penetrate the lungles